| When food comes out fire hot and the steam rises | | | | it that way. |
| from the plate as if to say I'm alive, I have soul, devour | | | | Generally avoiding anything I can get at P.F. Chang's |
| me. A certain response is required, a certain affection | | | | these days, I ordered chow fen si (basically beef strips |
| towards the restaurant, the cook, and the experience. | | | | cooked with onions and thin rice noodles) while my |
| Whether this happens in a restaurant or your mother's | | | | girlfriend asked for Yu-xiang qie-zi (Chinese eggplant |
| kitchen, it's always welcomed and appreciated. | | | | cooked in one of several main sauces from Sichuan.) |
| It's difficult to try the stripmall Chinese restaurant these | | | | After a few moments, both orders arrived extremely |
| days. There's a chance you'll get simple americanized | | | | hot, with the steam rising from the food as if the |
| food that's as interesting as eating at Panda Express. | | | | essence from the fire wok had been flash infused. |
| It becomes even more difficult when the popular | | | | Maybe it was the fact that we didn't order general |
| Malaysian restaurant Penang sits at one end, and then | | | | Tso's chicken. Maybe not ordering orange beef and |
| next door a lies a Vietnamese spot full of diners - | | | | Kung Pao anything was appreciated. Who knows, but |
| while Wan Lai the Chinese restaurant sits nearly | | | | on this particular day the food was special. Perhaps |
| empty. Do you really want to risk it? After so many | | | | the cook felt like flexing a bit and fired all burners, |
| uniquely great experiences in a row without a single | | | | adding some heart to our meals. There is always an |
| miss, why take the chance? Why try something new | | | | unidentifiable quality within food that soars. Beyond |
| that might be just like everything else? The signs don't | | | | simple flavors derived from obvious spices, beyond |
| look good. | | | | any attempts at being impressive and actually |
| I would comment on the decor (no comment) but I | | | | delivering fulfillment. |
| stopped focusing on such things a while back in favor | | | | Wan Lai is a hole in the wall and no one knows it. If the |
| of the food - always the food now. | | | | food is always this good, I hope it stays that way. It's a |
| Feed me. Feed me at the side of the street. Feed me | | | | comfortable spot to stray away from the regular |
| out of the trunk of your car. Just make sure it's really | | | | menu and search for some excellent surprises. |
| good. Wan Lai isn't on anyone's radar and it probably | | | | Review Summary: 4. |
| won't ever appear on anyone's radar - I almost prefer | | | | |